Year: 2007
23-04-2007
The AJA are delighted to announce that thanks to the generosity of new sponsors Sawfish Software, a mini series is programmed which will give an exciting climax to this year’s lady jockey’s Flat Season.
Four additional ladies races are planned as follows:
Beverley – 11th September
Redcar – 19th October
Doncaster – 26th October
Nottingham – 31st October
This is excellent news for all lady amateur flat jockeys as their calendar previously ran out of steam in August. This news is particularly exciting not only with the return to Doncaster, where traditionally the ladies last race of the season has always been run, but also with this series now extending the season to finalise at Nottingham on Halloween.
This will certainly be a treat for the ladies, where the new champion for 2007 will be crowned!
12-04-2007
Congratulations to Richard Burton, triple champion point-to-point jockey, for his fine victory on Nicky Henderson’s Scots Grey in this year’s Foxhunters at Aintree, scoring by half a length from Richard Harding on Pak Jack after the pair had gone head to head turning for home.
Burty said “I knew I would never have a better chance in this race – the big ones don’t come round very often – and although we took a while to get to know each other out there he was foot perfect in the second half. The runner-up made a mistake at the second last and I’ve winged it and it was nip and tuck all the way up the run-in.”
Commiserations must go to Jamie Snowden, Assistant to Henderson, whose broken ankle prevented him from riding Scots Grey.
09-04-2007
Every year the AJA supports Spinal Injuries by organising charity races (run outside the Rules of Racing). Riders come from a variety of backgrounds and are of all shapes and sizes with a wide variety of experience, ability and age. Our oldest jockey to date is John Ciechanowski. Vice President of the AJA, who took part in Newbury’s 2005 race at the age of 83 and raised nearly £2,000 in the process.
Riders who are proficient in the saddle are asked to provide their own horses, which must have run at least twice either under Rules or in point-to-points. If riders cannot prove their standard of equestrianism by their experience, they must attend an assessment day at the British Racing School in Newmarket in order to qualify. Amateur riders and point-to-point jockeys who hold a licence are also invited to take part in charity races if they have not ridden a winner under Rules.
This is an excellent introduction to the racecourse for inexperienced amateur jockeys. Sour or inexperienced horses can also benefit, with races started by flag rather than stalls and runners restricted to a maximum field of 12. On more than one occasion a jaded horse has had his racing interest restored having enjoyed taking part in a charity race and has been sweetened up to go on and win next time on the racecourse!
For 2007 the following charity races are planned:
Continue reading WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE IN A CHARITY RACE?
07-04-2007
ALL MEMBERS OF THE AJA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE AGM WHICH WILL BE HELD ON TUESDAY 1ST MAY AT WEATHERBYS OF WELLINGBOROUGH IN NORTHAMPTONSHIRE AT 11.30 AM
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A CHANGE OF DATE FROM THE ORIGINAL PLANS!
07-04-2007
The AJA are delighted to announce that Bollinger Champagne have confirmed that the following racecourses will host this year’s Bollinger Champagne Challenge Series:
THE BOLLINGER CHAMPAGNE CHALLENGE SERIESIN ASSOCIATION WITH THE DAILY TELEGRAPH2007
Friday 25th May Newmarket (Rowley Mile)
Thursday 14th June Newbury
Friday 22nd June (evening) Musselburgh
Friday 28th June Warwick
Monday 2nd July (evening) Goodwood
Friday 27th July (evening) Newmarket (July Course)
Monday 6th August (evening) Windsor
Wednesday 8th August Pontefract
Friday 31st August Chester
Wednesday 5th September York
Monday 10th September Bath
Friday 28th September Ascot
The AJA are most grateful to Bollinger Champagne for their legendary loyal support and we all look forward to another great season ahead.
29-01-2007
The valiant efforts of Nick Lees in rescheduling the lost Leicester 9th January ladies hurdle race to 29th January were all in vain as the course remained waterlogged.
However, in order to keep the series to six races, James Sanderson has very kindly agreed to the fourth race in the series being held at Wetherby on Tuesday 3rd April.
The series now kicks off at CATTERICK on 27th February, followed by HUNTINGDON for the Lady Jockeys Champion Hurdle on 14th March, TOWCESTER on 29th March, WETHERBY on 3rd April, MARKET RASEN on 15th April and the last race in the series returning to WETHERBY on Sunday 29th April.
29-01-2007
It was a double blow for amateur jockeys on 18th January when Ludlow’s racing was abandoned due to high winds, with two amateur races on the card.
Clerk of the Course Bob Davies is optimistic that he will be able to reschedule the running of at the Hands and Heels NH Flat Race for later on this season, and there is a slim possibility that he might also be able to reschedule the AJA Hurdle Race.
16-01-2007
Tuesday 23rd January is the new date for the start of the Cadale Lady Riders Hurdle race, Tuesday 9th January having been lost to waterlogging. This is thanks to skilful rescheduling by Nick Lees and the agreement of the BHB, for which we are most grateful.
11-01-2007
The Amateur Jockeys Association are delighted to announce the 2007 Bathwick Tyres Ladies Derby Series. This year’s series is made up as follows:
SALISBURY Sunday 6th May
SALISBURY Thursday 24th May
NEWBURY Saturday 9th June
SALISBURY Saturday 14th July
NEWBURY Saturday 18th August
SALISBURY Saturday 31st August
NEWBURY Saturday 27th October
The Bathwick Tyres Ladies Derby, the richest amateur lady jockeys’ race in the racing calendar, takes place on Newbury’s Ladies Day on Saturday 18th August. The lady riders return there for the final ladies flat race of the season on 27th October, when the series winner will be awarded what has now become the traditional prize holiday generously donated by Wayne and Sarah Clifford of Bathwick Tyres.
Now in its 6th year, this series gives a wonderful opportunity for amateur lady jockeys to focus on a challenge which gives the winner an enviable reward. Jockey points are awarded after each race to the first 6 lady jockeys on a 7-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Last year’s winner, Faye Bramley, enjoyed a luxury weekend in Paris for the Arc de Triomphe and invited the series runner-up Michaela Sowerby to join her. The series always produces some interesting results, which last year included Annie Cooke (née Elsey) winning the Derby and promptly announce her retirement from the saddle.
Sarah Clifford said “We anticipate a great series this year, and are particularly looking forward to the Ladies Derby having its inaugural running at Newbury. To see the runners spread across the track as they turn into the straight is a really exciting prospect, and to hold this on Ladies Day at Newbury could not be more appropriate.”
Lisa Ward of Newbury Racecourse said “We are thrilled to offer the ladies the opportunity to ride at a Grade One track and grateful to Bathwick Tyres for their support. We wish all of the lady riders every success.”
Jeremy Martin, Clerk of the Course and General Manager at Salisbury, said “Salisbury are delighted to be staging four of the Bathwick Tyres Lady Rider races. Three of the races take place at popular evening race meetings, including Ladies Evening in July, and the other race at our opening Bank Holiday weekend fixture in early May, which is always our biggest attendance of the year. We thank the Clifford’s and Bathwick Tyres for their continued and increased involvement here, and again look forward to being part of this excellent Series.”
Sarah Oliver, Chief Executive of the AJA, said “It is excellent to be able to incorporate such a variety of races now that we have taken the series to two such inviting tracks. This really opens the series up to allow more opportunities for runners and riders. We are immensely grateful to Wayne and Sarah Clifford for their unstinting support and look forward to some great fun this summer.”
Past winners of the Ladies Derby are:
2002 Chrissie Hannaford
2003 Sara Cumani
2004 Chrissie Hannaford
2005 Francesca Cumani
2006 Annie Cooke
09-01-2007
Congratulations to Rose Davidson and to Jamie Snowden for making Saturday’s Sandown meeting a great day for amateurs with their wins in the only two chases of the day.
Rose rode a well judged race letting the two front runners cut their own throats whilst Rose on her parents’ Bohemian Spirit, a natural front runner, was able to pick them off half way down the back straight and saunter home at her ease.
Jamie Snowden had a similar ride in that he was riding a horse of exceptional jumping capabilities on Kerstino Two, who from flag fall jumped and galloped his rivals into submission.
